In the years prior to the pandemic, Northern Virginia residents had a lower mortality rate than the state average. However, as research conducted in developing countries is increasingly sponsored by government agencies, foundations, and private companies in developed countries, authorities and international organizations dealing with research ethics are insisting that research ethics address what happens when a study ends. The Healthcare Foundation in Herndon, Virginia is taking proactive steps to reduce the shortage of health care personnel. To this end, they are working in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health, the Area Health Education Centers program, the Joint Health Care Commission, and other relevant organizations.
These collaborative efforts are commonly used to address problems arising from the funding or distribution of drugs in developing countries outside of research contexts, including purchases made by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or donations from pharmaceutical companies. In April 2000, the HUGO Ethics Committee published a statement on benefit-sharing, recommending that all humanity should share the benefits of genetic research, not just research participants. The contract with the Health Brigade will require the clinic to provide financial assistance and support groups and carry out an education and outreach program for HIV-positive clients in Central Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health will modify its contracts with Virginia Health Information to develop a strategic plan for expanding the Emergency Department's Care Coordination Program into a comprehensive statewide exchange of health information that makes relevant data available to all verified and state providers, including the Virginia Department of Health, the Department of Health Care Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Issues related to ongoing benefits for research participants differ from those related to ensuring access to other people in the host country, so they require separate treatment. The contract with the Virginia Health Care Foundation will require that it submit an annual report to the governor and chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations committees on private and local government funding received by the foundation since its inception. The contract with VHCF will also require that general funds be accompanied by local public and private resources and awarded to proposals that improve access to primary health care for uninsured and medically underserved Virginians through innovative service delivery models. The grant will support the Glaser Foundation's Call to Action project in Africa and Thailand, which provides community training, HIV testing and counseling, treatment, and education to prevent mother-to-child transmission. The contract with Health Wagon will require it to offer summer outreach programs to low-income uninsured people living in southwestern Virginia.
In a previous report, the NBAC analyzed post-trial obligations with respect to a specific group of patients participating in research studies and concluded that medical follow-up was warranted for research participants with mental disorders. The Virginia Community Health Association will establish accounting and reporting mechanisms to track disbursement and expenditure of funds. By taking these steps, healthcare foundations in Herndon are helping ensure access to affordable medication for all Virginians.
